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Roy S, Trautwein C, Luedde T, Roderburg C. A General Overview on Non-coding RNA-Based Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches for Liver Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:805. [PMID: 30158867 PMCID: PMC6104154 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver diseases contribute to the global mortality and morbidity and still represent a major health problem leading to the death of people worldwide. Although there are several treatment options available for Hepatitis C infections, for most liver disease the pharmacological options are still limited. Therefore, the development of new targets against liver diseases is of high interest. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) such as microRNA (miRNA) or long ncRNA (lncRNA) have been shown to be deeply involved in the pathophysiology of almost all acute and chronic liver diseases. The emerging evidence showed the potential therapeutic use of miRNA associated with different steps of hepatic pathophysiology. In the present review, we summarize emerging insights of ncRNA in liver diseases. We also highlight example of ncRNAs participating in the pathogenesis of different forms of liver disease and how they can be used as potential therapeutic targets for novel treatment paradigms. Furthermore, we describe an overview of up-to-date clinical trials and discuss about its future in clinical applications. Finally, we highlight the role of circulating ncRNAs in diagnosis of liver diseases and discuss the challenges and drawbacks of the usage of ncRNAs in clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchari Roy
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tom Luedde
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christoph Roderburg
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Schoepp M, Ströse AJ, Haier J. Dysregulation of miRNA Expression in Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) and Its Consequences on the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:cancers9060054. [PMID: 28538690 PMCID: PMC5483873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9060054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), has developed as an important target for understanding tumor progression, clinical prognosis and treatment responses of cancer. Cancer cells appear to transform normal fibroblasts (NF) into CAFs involving direct cell-cell communication and epigenetic regulations. This review summarizes the current understanding on miR involvement in cancer cell—tumor environment/stroma communication, transformation of NFs into CAFs, their involved targets and signaling pathways in these interactions; and clinical relevance of CAF-related miR expression profiles. There is evidence that miRs have very similar roles in activating hepatic (HSC) and pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) as part of precancerous fibrotic diseases. In summary, deregulated miRs affect various intracellular functional complexes, such as transcriptional factors, extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton, EMT/MET regulation, soluble factors, tyrosine kinase and G-protein signaling, apoptosis and cell cycle & differentiation, but also formation and composition of the extracellular microenvironment. These processes result in the clinical appearance of desmoplasia involving CAFs and fibrosis characterized by deregulated stellate cells. In addition, modulated release of soluble factors can act as (auto)activating feedback loop for transition of NFs into their pathological counterparts. Furthermore, epigenetic communication between CAFs and cancer cells may confer to cancer specific functional readouts and transition of NF. MiR related epigenetic regulation with many similarities should be considered as key factor in development of cancer and fibrosis specific environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Schoepp
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Münster (CCCM), University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Anda Jana Ströse
- Nordakademie University of Applied Sciences, Köllner Chaussee 11, 25337 Elmshorn, Germany.
| | - Jörg Haier
- Nordakademie University of Applied Sciences, Köllner Chaussee 11, 25337 Elmshorn, Germany.
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3
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Hepatic Stellate Cells and microRNAs in Pathogenesis of Liver Fibrosis. J Clin Med 2016; 5:jcm5030038. [PMID: 26999230 PMCID: PMC4810109 DOI: 10.3390/jcm5030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by either blocking translation or inducing degradation of target mRNA. miRNAs play essential roles in diverse biological and pathological processes, including development of hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a central role in development of hepatic fibrosis and there are intricate regulatory effects of miRNAs on their activation, proliferation, collagen production, migration, and apoptosis. There are multiple differentially expressed miRNAs in activated HSCs, and in this review we aim to summarize current data on miRNAs that participate in the development of hepatic fibrosis. Based on this review, miRNAs may serve as biomarkers for diagnosis of liver disease, as well as markers of disease progression. Most importantly, dysregulated miRNAs may potentially be targeted by novel therapies to treat and reverse progression of hepatic fibrosis.
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Okada H, Honda M, Campbell JS, Takegoshi K, Sakai Y, Yamashita T, Shirasaki T, Takabatake R, Nakamura M, Tanaka T, Kaneko S. Inhibition of microRNA-214 ameliorates hepatic fibrosis and tumor incidence in platelet-derived growth factor C transgenic mice. Cancer Sci 2015; 106:1143-52. [PMID: 26122702 PMCID: PMC4582983 DOI: 10.1111/cas.12730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentially regulated microRNA (miRNA) are associated with hepatic fibrosis; however, their potential usefulness for blocking hepatic fibrosis has not been exploited fully. We examined the expression of miRNA in the liver of a transgenic mouse model in which platelet-derived growth factor C (PDGF-C) is overexpressed (Pdgf-c Tg), resulting in hepatic fibrosis and steatosis and the eventual development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Robust induction of miR-214 correlated with fibrogenesis in the liver of Pdgf-c Tg mice, atherogenic high-fat diet-induced NASH mice, and patients with chronic hepatitis B or C. Pdgf-c Tg mice were injected with locked nucleic acid (LNA)-antimiR-214 via the tail vein using Invivofectamine 2.0 and the degree of hepatic fibrosis and tumor incidence were evaluated. Pdgf-c Tg mice treated with LNA-antimiR-214 showed a marked reduction in fibrosis and tumor incidence compared with saline or LNA-miR-control-injected control mice. In vitro, LNA-antimiR-214 significantly ameliorated TGF-β1-induced pro-fibrotic gene expression in Lx-2 cells. MiR-214 targets a negative regulator of EGFR signaling, Mig-6. Mimic-miR-214 decreased the expression of Mig-6 and increased the levels of EGF-mediated p-EGFR (Y1173 and Y845) and p-Met (Tyr1234/1235) in Huh-7 cells. Conversely, LNA-antimiR-214 repressed the expression of these genes. In conclusion, miR-214 appears to participate in the development of hepatic fibrosis by modulating the EGFR and TGF-β signaling pathways. LNA-antimiR-214 is a potential therapy for the prevention of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikari Okada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Masao Honda
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan.,Department of Advanced Medical Technology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Health Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Jean S Campbell
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kai Takegoshi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yoshio Sakai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Taro Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Shirasaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Riuta Takabatake
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mikiko Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takuji Tanaka
- The Tohkai Cytopathology Institute: Cancer Research and Prevention, Gifu, Japan
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa, Japan
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Lambrecht J, Mannaerts I, van Grunsven LA. The role of miRNAs in stress-responsive hepatic stellate cells during liver fibrosis. Front Physiol 2015; 6:209. [PMID: 26283969 PMCID: PMC4516870 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The progression of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis is associated with the persistence of an injury causing agent, leading to changes in the extracellular environment and a disruption of the cellular homeostasis of liver resident cells. Recruitment of inflammatory cells, apoptosis of hepatocytes, and changes in liver microvasculature are some examples of changing cellular environment that lead to the induction of stress responses in nearby cells. During liver fibrosis, the major stresses include hypoxia, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. When hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are subjected to such stress, they modulate fibrosis progression by induction of their activation toward a myofibroblastic phenotype, or by undergoing apoptosis, and thus helping fibrosis resolution. It is widely accepted that microRNAs are import regulators of gene expression, both during normal cellular homeostasis, as well as in pathologic conditions. MicroRNAs are short RNA sequences that regulate the gene expression by mRNA destabilization and inhibition of mRNA translation. Specific microRNAs have been identified to play a role in the activation process of HSCs on the one hand and in stress-responsive pathways on the other hand in other cell types (Table 2). However, so far there are no reports for the involvement of miRNAs in the different stress responses linked to HSC activation. Here, we review briefly the major stress response pathways and propose several miRNAs to be regulated by these stress responsive pathways in activating HSCs, and discuss their potential specific pro-or anti-fibrotic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joeri Lambrecht
- Liver Cell Biology Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels, Belgium
| | - Inge Mannaerts
- Liver Cell Biology Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leo A van Grunsven
- Liver Cell Biology Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels, Belgium
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Huang J, Yu X, Fries JWU, Zhang L, Odenthal M. MicroRNA function in the profibrogenic interplay upon chronic liver disease. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:9360-71. [PMID: 24871365 PMCID: PMC4100099 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15069360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Revised: 05/06/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In chronic liver disease leading to fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) differentiate into myofibroblasts. Myofibroblastic HSC have taken center stage during liver fibrogenesis, due to their remarkable synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins, their secretion of profibrogenic mediators and their contribution to hypertension, due to elevated contractility. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules of 19–24 nucleotides in length. By either RNA interference or inhibition of translational initiation and elongation, each miRNA is able to inhibit the gene expression of a wide panel of targeted transcripts. Recently, it was shown that altered miRNA patterns after chronic liver disease highly affect the progression of fibrosis by their potential to target the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and the synthesis of mediators of profibrogenic pathways. Here, we underline the role of miRNAs in the interplay of the profibrogenic cell communication pathways upon myofibroblastic differentiation of hepatic stellate cells in the chronically injured liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Huang
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne 50924, Germany.
| | - Xiaojie Yu
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne 50924, Germany.
| | - Jochen W U Fries
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne 50924, Germany.
| | - Li'ang Zhang
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne 50924, Germany.
| | - Margarete Odenthal
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne 50924, Germany.
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Li F, Ma N, Zhao R, Wu G, Zhang Y, Qiao Y, Han D, Xu Y, Xiang Y, Yan B, Jin J, Lv G, Wang L, Xu C, Gao X, Luo S. Overexpression of miR-483-5p/3p cooperate to inhibit mouse liver fibrosis by suppressing the TGF-β stimulated HSCs in transgenic mice. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 18:966-74. [PMID: 24801603 PMCID: PMC4508137 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The transition from liver fibrosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been suggested to be a continuous and developmental pathological process. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered molecules that regulate the expression of genes involved in liver disease. Many reports demonstrate that miR-483-5p and miR-483-3p, which originate from miR-483, are up-regulated in HCC, and their oncogenic targets have been identified. However, recent studies have suggested that miR-483-5p/3p is partially down-regulated in HCC samples and is down-regulated in rat liver fibrosis. Therefore, the aberrant expression and function of miR-483 in liver fibrosis remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that overexpression of miR-483 in vivo inhibits mouse liver fibrosis induced by CCl4. We demonstrate that miR-483-5p/3p acts together to target two pro-fibrosis factors, platelet-derived growth factor-β and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2, which suppress the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) LX-2. Our work identifies the pathway that regulates liver fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyuan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Therapeutic potential of microRNA: a new target to treat intrahepatic portal hypertension? BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:797898. [PMID: 24812632 DOI: 10.1155/2014/797898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Revised: 02/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Intrahepatic portal hypertension accounts for most of the morbidity and mortality encountered in patients with liver cirrhosis, due to increased portal inflow and intrahepatic vascular resistance. Most treatments have focused only on portal inflow or vascular resistance. However, miRNA multitarget regulation therapy may potentially intervene in these two processes for therapeutic benefit in cirrhosis and portal hypertension. This review presents an overview of the most recent knowledge of and future possibilities for the use of miRNA therapy. The benefits of this therapeutic modality--which is poorly applied in the clinical setting--are still uncertain. Increasing the knowledge and current understanding of the roles of miRNAs in the development of intrahepatic portal hypertension and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) functions, as well as their potential as novel drug targets, is critical.
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Zhang Z, Zha Y, Hu W, Huang Z, Gao Z, Zang Y, Chen J, Dong L, Zhang J. The autoregulatory feedback loop of microRNA-21/programmed cell death protein 4/activation protein-1 (MiR-21/PDCD4/AP-1) as a driving force for hepatic fibrosis development. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:37082-93. [PMID: 24196965 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.517953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustained activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) leads to hepatic fibrosis, which is characterized by excessive collagen production, and for which there is no available drug clinically. Despite tremendous progress, the cellular activities underlying HSC activation, especially the driving force in the perpetuation stage, are only partially understood. Recently, microRNA-21 (miR-21) has been found to be prevalently up-regulated during fibrogenesis in different tissues, although its detailed role needs to be further elucidated. In the present study, miR-21 expression was examined in human cirrhotic liver samples and in murine fibrotic livers induced by thioacetamide or carbon tetrachloride. A dramatic miR-21 increase was noted in activated HSCs. We further found that miR-21 maintained itself at constant high levels by using a microRNA-21/programmed cell death protein 4/activation protein-1 (miR-21/PDCD4/AP-1) feedback loop. Disrupting this loop with miR-21 antagomir or AP-1 inhibitors significantly suppressed fibrogenic activities in HSCs and ameliorated liver fibrosis. In contrast, reinforcing this loop with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against PDCD4 promoted fibrogenesis in HSCs. Further analysis indicated that the up-regulated miR-21 promoted the central transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway underlying HSC activation. In summary, we suggest that the miR-21/PDCD4/AP-1 autoregulatory loop is one of the main driving forces for hepatic fibrosis progression. Targeting this aberrantly activated feedback loop may provide a new therapeutic strategy and facilitate drug discovery against hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengping Zhang
- From the State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China and
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10
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Huang W, Dai B, Wen Z, Millard RW, Yu XY, Luther K, Xu M, Zhao TC, Yang HT, Qi Z, LaSance K, Ashraf M, Wang Y. Molecular strategy to reduce in vivo collagen barrier promotes entry of NCX1 positive inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPSC(NCX¹⁺)) into ischemic (or injured) myocardium. PLoS One 2013; 8:e70023. [PMID: 23990893 PMCID: PMC3749126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of collagen composition on engraftment of progenitor cells within infarcted myocardium. BACKGROUND We previously reported that intramyocardial penetration of stem/progenitor cells in epicardial patches was enhanced when collagen was reduced in hearts overexpressing adenylyl cyclase-6 (AC6). In this study we hypothesized an alternative strategy wherein overexpression of microRNA-29b (miR-29b), inhibiting mRNAs that encode cardiac fibroblast proteins involved in fibrosis, would similarly facilitate progenitor cell migration into infarcted rat myocardium. METHODS In vitro: A tri-cell patch (Tri-P) consisting of cardiac sodium-calcium exchanger-1 (NCX1) positive iPSC (iPSC(NCX1+)), endothelial cells (EC), and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) was created, co-cultured, and seeded on isolated peritoneum. The expression of fibrosis-related genes was analyzed in cardiac fibroblasts (CFb) by qPCR and Western blot. In vivo: Nude rat hearts were administered mimic miRNA-29b (miR-29b), miRNA-29b inhibitor (Anti-29b), or negative mimic (Ctrl) before creation of an ischemically induced regional myocardial infarction (MI). The Tri-P was placed over the infarcted region 7 days later. Angiomyogenesis was analyzed by micro-CT imaging and immunofluorescent staining. Echocardiography was performed weekly. RESULTS The number of green fluorescent protein positive (GFP(+)) cells, capillary density, and heart function were significantly increased in hearts overexpressing miR-29b as compared with Ctrl and Anti-29b groups. Conversely, down-regulation of miR-29b with anti-29b in vitro and in vivo induced interstitial fibrosis and cardiac remodeling. CONCLUSION Overexpression of miR-29b significantly reduced scar formation after MI and facilitated iPSC(NCX1+) penetration from the cell patch into the infarcted area, resulting in restoration of heart function after MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Bo Dai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Zhili Wen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Infectious Disease Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ronald W. Millard
- Department of Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Xi-Yong Yu
- Medical Research Center of Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kristin Luther
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Meifeng Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ting C. Zhao
- Cardiovascular Laboratories, Department of Surgery, Boston University Medical School, Roger William Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Huang-Tian Yang
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihua Qi
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kathleen LaSance
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Muhammad Ashraf
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Yigang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Dual role of microRNAs in NAFLD. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:8437-55. [PMID: 23594995 PMCID: PMC3645753 DOI: 10.3390/ijms14048437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are important post-transcriptional regulators in different pathophysiological processes. They typically affect the mRNA stability or translation finally leading to the repression of target gene expression. Notably, it is thought that microRNAs are crucial for regulating gene expression during metabolic-related disorders, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Several studies identify specific microRNA expression profiles associated to different histological features of NAFLD, both in animal models and in patients. Therefore, specific assortments of certain microRNAs could have enormous diagnostic potentiality. In addition, microRNAs have also emerged as possible therapeutic targets for the treatment of NAFLD-related liver damage. In this review, we discuss the experimental evidence about microRNAs both as potential non-invasive early diagnostic markers and as novel therapeutic targets in NAFLD and its more severe liver complications.
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12
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Ramani K, Tomasi ML, Yang H, Ko K, Lu SC. Mechanism and significance of changes in glutamate-cysteine ligase expression during hepatic fibrogenesis. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:36341-55. [PMID: 22942279 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.370775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
GSH is synthesized sequentially by glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) and GSH synthase and defends against oxidative stress, which promotes hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Changes in GSH synthesis during HSC activation are poorly characterized. Here, we examined the expression of GSH synthetic enzymes in rat HSC activation and reversion to quiescence. Expression of the GCL catalytic subunit (GCLC) fell during HSC activation and increased when activated HSCs revert back to quiescence. Blocking the increase in GCLC expression kept HSCs in an activated state. Activated HSCs have higher nuclear levels and binding activity of MafG to the antioxidant response element (ARE) of GCLC but lower Nrf2/MafG heterodimer binding to the ARE. Quiescent HSCs have a lower nuclear MafG level but higher Nrf2/MafG heterodimer binding to ARE. This occurred because of enhanced sumoylation of Nrf2 and MafG by SUMO-1, which promoted Nrf2 binding to ARE and heterodimerization with MafG. In vivo, knockdown of GCLC exacerbated bile duct ligation-induced liver injury and fibrosis. Ursodeoxycholic acid and S-adenosylmethionine are anti-fibrotic in bile duct ligation, but this effect was nearly lost if GCLC induction was blocked. In conclusion, sumoylation of Nrf2 and MafG enhances heterodimerization and increases GCLC expression, which keeps HSCs in a quiescent state. Antifibrotic agents require activation of GCLC to fully exert their protective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal Ramani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, USC Research Center for Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
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